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Looking for the best Firth of Forth boat tours in Scotland?
You’ve come to the right place!
There are 3 main boat tours (often called the 3 bridges tour) that take you across the Firth of Forth in Edinburgh, and I’ve compiled them here with my rankings on which one is best.
How should I know?
As someone who has lived in the UK for 10 years and visited Edinburgh dozens of times, I know that one of the coolest things to do is hop on one of these Firth of Forth boat tours to see the Forth Bridge – and I’ve done all 3 myself!
Make sure to book in advance to guarantee yourself a space, and let’s get straight down into the best boat tours of the Firth of Forth!
⏳ Don’t have time to read the whole list?
The best Firth of Forth boat tour is this 1.5 hour Firth of Forth Sightseeing Cruise.
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1. Fun 1.5 hour Firth of Forth Sightseeing Cruise
⭐️ RATING: 5 out of 5 Stars, 128+ reviews | ⏳ TOUR LENGTH: 1.5 hours | ✔️ BOOK NOW
WHAT’S INCLUDED IN THIS TOUR
- Fully stocked bar on board for purchasing drinks and snacks
- Expert commentary during the cruise
- Restroom on board
This tour is my top pick for the best Firth of Forth tour in Edinburgh.
Not only do you get to cruise under this incredibly impressive bridge with expert commentary in the background, but you’ll also get some stunning views of Edinburgh and Fife from the top deck of the boat.
You can spot wildlife from the boat (bring your binoculars!), including seals and puffins when the season is right.
This is the only 5/5 star Firth of Forth boat tour, and while the others are also highly ranked, this is truly the best one.
2. Edinburgh Three Bridges Cruise
⭐️ RATING: 4.5 out of 5 Stars, 320+ reviews | ⏳ TOUR LENGTH: 3.5 hours | ✔️ BOOK NOW
Get out of crowded Edinburgh on the Three Bridges tour, taking you to see some of Edinburgh’s hidden gems as you cruise your way to Inchcolm Island.
You can spot medieval abbeys, colonies of sea lions and seals, and plenty of gorgeous scenic views of Edinburgh.
And of course, one of the main events, seeing the Forth Bridge which is UNESCO listed and a must-see for visitors to Edinburgh.
You’ll learn the history of all 3 of the bridges, as well as enjoy guided narration of the history of the island, the bridges, and Edinburgh as you cruise along.
3. Award winning Blackness Castle, Three Bridges Cruise with Cream Tea
⭐️ RATING: 4.5 out of 5 Stars, 28+ reviews | ⏳ TOUR LENGTH: 3.5 hours | ✔️ BOOK NOW
Three bridges go over the Firth of Forth, and they look amazing from the land.
But it’s even more impressive when you’re on a boat, looking up at them from below.
And even more so when you’re enjoying cream team with the view!
This boat trip takes you on the Firth of Forth, and you’ll see Blackness Castle, Limekilns village, and the Forth Road and Queensferry bridges.
It’s a great way to learn about the local and Scottish history from your guide and maybe even see some cool marine animals like birds, porpoises, and seals.